Folding vehicle-top



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S. E. KIEROLP. FOLDING VEHICLE TOP.

Patented Jan. 30,

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SALEM KIEROLF, OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE.

" FOLDING VEHICLE-TOP.

SIECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 513,578, dated January 30,1894.

Application filed April 24, 1893. Serial No. 471,670. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SALEM E. KIEROLF, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at J ackson, in the county of Madison and State of Tennessee,have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Folding Vehicle-Tops; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in tops for carriages, buggies, and similar vehicles, and the primary object that I have in view in this my present improvement is to effect economy in the construction of the top by dispensing with certain parts heretofore deemed necessary in vehicle tops, to conceal the folding bow-braces or props within the canopy, and to so arrange the folding bow and back braces that they can be operated to break joints by the occupant of the seat and without getting out of the vehicle.

In my improved top I dispense with the back stays and the back curtain and so construct the two side curtains that they can be made to form the back curtain. The side curtains extend from the middle bow of the top, around the side stays, and meet in the middle of the back of the top, where they are fastened together by buckles and straps or other equivalent fastenings. To expose the sides of the top, and employ a back curtain,

the front parts of the side curtains are detached and folded around the side stays, in front of the back curtain, and they are fastened to the opposite side stays of the top, the folded partsof the curtain crossing or overlapping each other. I also dispense w th heavy joints, prop irons, nuts, and a shifting rail; and also obviate puncturing the outside material of the canopy as the latter is not punctured by the props. I remove the rattling joints and props from the outside of the top, and secrete the joints under the trimming of the canopy, which enables the occupant to throw the top backward or forward, with ease and Without getting out of the vehicle for this purpose. The top is generally more open and lighterthan ordinary tops and when the curtains are removed a folding canopy top is produced of light, graceful and airy appearance, but with the curtains in place the top has the appearance of the ordinary foldingtop. I am also enabled to make the inside concealed joints of lighter material as the joints are so constructed that they do not bend at the knuckle as ordinary joints do; and in the practical construction of the top the joints are all fastened together before being applied to the bows and before the top is trimmed, thereby saving the labor of stripping the top after it has been set or placed in position.

With the foregoing ends in view, I combine with the middle and back bows, two upright the top is thrown back, each side stay being pivoted and stayed or braced at its lower end while the ipper end of each side stay is jointed to'the upper rear end of the inclined bow. This upper rear part of the back bow is provided with a half-knuckle iron, and the front bow is similarly provided with a half-knuckle iron, which irons are rigidly fastened. to said back and front bows; while the middle bow is provided with a double knuckleiron which is fastened rigidly thereto, all of these knuckle irons being within the trimming of the canopy. I provide a break joint, prop or brace between the knuckle iron on the back bow and one end of the double knuckle iron on the middle bow, and a similar break joint knuckle on the front how, each of said secand is free to turn thereon, each trunnion heing formed with'a protruding threaded end which receives a nut that screws up against the socket and'holds the parts securelyto gether while permitting them to have the necessary pivotal play to insure folding of the top Each side stay is further provided with a catch or locking device adapted to engage with a stud on the inclined bow, and this side stay may have the ordinary break joint near its upper end, or said back stay may be composed of telescopic sections, with a clamping screw to hold the parts firmly together when the stay is extended and the top unfolded to its upright position.

Having thus stated the general nature and objects of my improvement, I will now proceed to a detailed description thereof in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of my top as it appears when turned to its upright position, the curtains being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the canopy omitted and showing the positions of the props or braces within the canopy. Fig. 3 is a View of the top when folded back, the canopy being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a back view of the top, the canopy being omitted. Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the back stays showing the half-knuckles by which the ends of the stay are connected respectively to the seat and the inclined bow. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a modified construction of the side stay, showing it made of telescopic sections. Fig. 7 is a detail View showing the two bow braces or props in plan view, with the several knuckle-irons connected thereto, the bows being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the braces or props and the knuckle-irons detached or separated to show the construction thereof more clearly.

Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings, referring to which- A designates the seat or shifting rail of a carriage, and B is the canopy. of the top, which are of the ordinary construction.

0 is the middle bow which is pivoted at its ends to a suitable support on the seat or shifting rail. D is the front bow connected to the middle bow at about the middle thereof, and E is the inclined bow which is pivoted to the middle bow near its lower end and which extends or passes to the rear of the canopy, all of which parts are of the usual construction and arrangement.

In lieu of using a back leather stay, I provide the two side stays F, F, (see Fig. 4) which are arranged at the back end of the seat-or top. Each of the side stays is pivoted at its lower end to a half-knuckle f by means of the pivot-pin f, and this half-knuckle is rigidly fastened to the seat or shifting rail in any desirable way. To prevent the top from having a side or lateral swinging motion when in use, I provide each of the side stays F with a lateral brace G, the upper end of which is rigid with the stay F while the lower end of the brace G is pivoted on a horizontal fixed arm or iron that extends from one side of the seat or shifting rail of the vehicle, the brace turning on a center which may be common to the pivot of the stay F. The upper end of the side stay is pivotally connected to the upper rear part of the inclined bow E by means of a half knuckle iron G which is rigidly fastened to the inclined bow and has the upper end of the stay pivoted thereto, as shown. The side stays are each constructed to break joints or collapse to enable the top to fold back, which end may be attained by either of the constructions shown by Figs. 5 and 6 respectively. In Fig. 5 of the drawings, the side stay is made of two sections, a short upper section which is pivoted to the knuckle iron G and a longer lower section which is pivoted to the lower knuckle iron f, and these sections of the stay are pivoted or connected together by a break-joint f" which is constructed to make the stay to break backward when the top is folded. In lieu of this sectional joint stay shown by Fig. 5, I may employ the telescopic stay shown by Fig. 6, in which the lower member of the stay is made in the form of a longitudinally slotted tube which is pivoted in the lower knuckle f while the upper member of the stay is made in the form of a rod that is pivoted to the upper knuckle G and is adapted to slide in the tubular lower section of said stay, the upper member of the stay carrying a set or clamping screw that passes through and rides in the longitudinal slotin the lower member of the stay.

When the top is folded back with the stays constructed as shown in Fig. 6, the set screws are released or loosened and the upper sections slide or ride in the slots of the lower sections, and after the top is turned to its upright position, the set screws are turned to clamp the upper and lower sections of the stays together and prevent the top from collapsing.

With the stay constructed as in Fig. 5, with the break joint between its short and long members, I find it necessary to provide a catch or locking device to prevent the stay from collapsing when the top is in its upright position. This locking device is indicated at H in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and it consists of an arm it provided with a notch at its free end, said notched arm being adapted to fit over a stud h on the inclined rear bow E of the top. This locking arm may be arranged at the break-joint between the members of the rear stay and take over a stud fixed to the inclined rear bow at a point below the prop-brace or stay; or said locking arm may be provided on the short member of the rear stay F at a point between the knucklefand the break joint, in which position the notched IIC end of the locking arm will take over a stud which forms the pivotal connection between the rear bow and the back prop-brace.

I will now proceed to describe the props or braces which serve to hold the bows properly spaced apart when the top is turned to its upright position.

, The front bowD and the inclined rear bow E are each rovided with a half-knuckle iron I, 1', respectively, and which are shown more clearly in the detail view Fig. 8 of the drawings. Each half-knuckle iron consists of a perforated plate or body '5 and an integral cylindrical socket t", said socket standing substantially at right angles to the length of the body '11, and the latter being applied against the bow and fastened rigidly thereto by rivets or in any other desired manner.

On the middle bow of the top is provided a.

double knuckle-iron J, which consists of a body or plate j provided at its opposite ends with the integral cylindrical sockets j, j, which also stand at right angles to the body or plate of the iron J. The fiat part or body of the iron J is fitted against the middle bow quite snugly asshown in Fig. 7, and said iron is rigidly fastened to the bow by any convenient means. The sockets j, j", stand across opposite faces of the bow when the iron J is fastened thereto, and the sockets z, t", of the irons I, I, on the front and inclined back bows also stand across the inner faces of their respective bows, D, E, as indicated in Fig. 7.

L is the rear brace or prop between the inclined rear bow E and the middle bow G,

and M is the front brace or prop between the front bow D and the middle how 0. Eaizh brace or prop, L, M, consists of two sections which are pivotally connected together by a joint Z that is arranged to break downward; and the sections of the braces or props are provided at their free ends with the integral trunnions n, 0, said trunnions being so proportioned that they will fit snugl yin the cylindrical sockets of the knuckle-irons and they are of such length that they pass clear through said sockets, the extended ends of the trunnions being reduced and screw threaded to receive the nuts 19 which are adapted to be screwed thereon tight up against the ends of the cylindrical sockets, thus forming a secure pivotal connection between the braces and the knuckle irons. The rear brace L has its trunnion at fitted in the socket 1) of the knuckle iron I while the other trunnion is fitted in thesocket j of the double knuckleiron J and in like manner, the front brace M has its trunnion n fitted in the socket j of the double knuckle iron J, while its trunnion 0 is fitted in the socket 11 on the knuckle iron I on the front bow O. In the construction of my top, it is designed that the workman shall fit the props or braces and the knuckle irons together before applying the parts to the bows, whereby the application of these devices to the top or canopy can be facilitated and accomplished before the canopy is trimmed. The braces or props and their knuckle-irons are very simple in construction, and practical experience with said devices has demonstrated that they are efficient and reliable in service.

In lieu of using three curtains to inclose' the exposed open parts of the top, I use two the seat or shifting rail.

long curtains Q, R, which are arranged to extend around the sides and meet at the middle of the back of the top, the rear meeting ends of the curtains being connected by means of straps and buckles, or equivalent fastenings. It will thus be seen that it is only necessary to use two curtains, instead of three curtains as has been customary heretofore, and when it is desired to close the back of the top and leave the two sides open, it is only necessary to carry the front ends of the curtains around the side stays F, F, and adjust them across one another in front of the back curtain, the free ends of the curtains being fastened to the opposite side stays F, F, of the carriage too.

This being the construction of my improved top, the operation thereof may be briefly described as follows: The bows are held at the proper distances apart by the prop braces L, M, and the rear stays F, F, are prevented from collapsing by the locking arms which take over the studs on their inclined rear bows, the top being held from lateral swaying motion by the braces G, G, rigid with the lower ends of the stays F, F, and pivoted on To lower the top, it is only necessary for the occupant of theseat to depress the propsv L, M, and break the joints downward, then detach the locking arms, and throw the top backward.

In the modified construction of the side stays shown by Fig. 6, the locking arms are dispensed with, and the solid upper sections of the stays telescope within the tubular lower sections when the top is moved backwardor forward, it being necessary to release the IOO clamping screws when the top is to be lowor sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I.

therefore reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the scope of the same. v

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- I i 1. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the side stays each formed with a movable joint at an intermediate point of its length and with locking devices to hold the members of said stay rigidly in position, each stay being pivoted at its upper end to the inclined rear bow and pivoted at its lower end to a seat or equivalent part of a vehicle, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In a folding top, the combination with the front bow, a middle bow, and the inclined rear bow, of the upright stays pivoted at their lower ends and pivotally connected at their upper ends to the inclined rear bow, each of the side stays being provided at an intermediate point of its length with a movable joint and with a locking arm adapted to engage one of the bows for holding the members of the stay rigidly in line with each other, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the side stays pivoted at their upper ends to one of the bows and provided at their lower ends with the rigid braces which turn or move on a common center with the pivotal joints at the lower ends of said side stays, as and for the purpose described.

l. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the rear stays pivoted at their upper ends to the inclined rear bow and at their lower ends to a suitable support, each stay provided with a brace which is rigid therewith and which swings or moves on a center common to the lower pivot of the stay, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a vehicle top, the combination with the bows, of the side stays, and the two curtains which extend from the front bows of the top around the side stays and fastened detachably together at the middle of the back, each curtain being arranged to fold around one of the side stays and. to be fastened to the other side stay, whereby the front parts of the curtain can be folded across the correspending part of the other curtain, to leave the sides of the top open and form a curtain at the back of the top, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In a vehicle top, the combination with I the bows, of the middle knuckle iron on the middle bow and the side knuckle irons on the front and rear bows, each side iron having a right angled socket and the middle iron provided with two sockets on opposite sides of its bow, and the horizontal sectional braces each provided at the ends with trunnions which are fitted respectively in one socket of the middle iron and the socket of one side iron, substantiallyas and for the purposes described.

7. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of a double knuckle-iron J rigid with the middle bow, the end knuckle-irons I, I, rigid with the front and rear bows, and the braces L, M, each having their ends pivotally connected to the double knuckle iron J and to one of the end knuckle-irons, and each brace consisting of sections connected by a break-joint between their pivotal c011- nection with the knuckle-irons, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the double iron J fastened to the middle bow and having the sockets which lie on opposite sides of said bow, the knuckle irons I, I, fastened to the front and rear bows, the front prop or brace M provided with the trunnions fitted in one of the sockets of the middle iron J and in the socket of the front iron I, and the rear sectional brace L having a trunnion fitted in the other socket of the middle iron J and its other trunnion fitted in the socket of the reariron, I, substantially as described.

9. In a folding top, the combination with the middle and side knuckle irons each having a socket standing at right angles to the plate thereof, and the front and rear braces each provided at each end with a trunnion which fits in the socket and is adapted to turn freely therein, said trunnion being threaded to receive a nut that turns up against the end of the socket, as and for the purpose described.

10. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the side stays each pivoted-at its upper end to the rear bow and pivotally supported at its lower end on a seat or rail, each stay having its members connected by a break joint and provided with a locking arm adapted to be detachably connected to one of the bows, as and for the purpose described.

11. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the side stays pivotally supported at their lower ends and pivoted to the inclined rear bow of the top at their upper ends, each stay consisting of the telescopical members and having means for fastening or clamping said members rigidly together, as and for the purpose described.

12. In a folding top, the combination with the bows, of the pivoted stay between the rear bow and a seat, each stay provided with a slotted tubular member'and with a sliding member that fits in the slotted member and carries a clamping screw thatpasses through the slot in the tubular member, as and for the purpose described. 1

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SALEM E. KIEROLF.

Witnesses J. H. HIRsoH, W. T. NELsoN. 

